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A Few Limitations to Donating Money From IRAs

By

Kelly Greene

Updated Oct. 25, 2008 12:01 a.m. ET

My wife, who is 65, inherited a substantial IRA when her mother passed away in 2006. Even though my wife hasn't reached the age of 70&frac12;, she is required to take a required minimum distribution from her inherited IRA each year. If she were to direct the IRA custodian to make a distribution directly to a tax-qualified charity this year and in 2009, would such a distribution count as part of her required minimum distribution? At the same time, would it reduce the amount of the required minimum distribution that she must report as ordinary income?